Hood latch structure



Aug. 16, 1955 G. JANONIS HOOD LATCH STRUCTURE Filed March 6, 1950 FIGQT.

INVENTOR.

GEORGE JANONIS BYW M flfl f A ORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 2,715,538 Patented Aug. 16, 1955 HOOD LATCH STRUCTURE George Janonis, Detroit, Mich.

Application March 6, 1950, Serial No. 147,822

7 Claims. (Cl. 292-50) The present invention relates to hood latch structure and more particularly to structure designed to latch the hood of an automobile in closed position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified hood latch structure which nevertheless operates efliciently to retain the hood firmly in latched position while preventing rattling of the hood, and at the same time effective to prevent accidental upward movement of the hood if the latching means becomes inoperative during driving of the vehicle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide hood latch means fully releasable from the interior of the driving compartment of the vehicle, which at the same time has safety means associated therewith to prevent accidental upward swinging of the hood if the hood is accidentally released from fully latched position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide hood latch mechanism which is adjustable as to forces applied so that it may be adjusted to operate satisfactorily with hoods having different weight and suspension characteristics.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide hood latch mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating latch plates associated with a notched latch bolt.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide hood latch mechanism comprising a pair of pivoted latch plates having spring means urging said plates toward latching position, means interconnecting said plates for simultaneous swinging movement, a latching bolt adapted to be moved into the space between said plates and having latching notches thereon, a spring balance plate below said latch plates effective to engage the inserted end of said latch bolt, said latch bolt preferably being provided with an enlarged safety head, and means operable from within the driving compartment of the vehicle for efiecting movement of said latch plates to bolt releasing position.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the hood latch structure.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 33, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the parts in a different relative position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the parts in yet another relative position.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6--6, Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section on the line 7-7, Figure 2 showing in addition, remote controlled operating mechanism associated with the hood latch structure.

Referring now to the figures the hood latch structure comprises a plate 10 shaped to fit at the forward upward end of the motor compartment. The shape of the plate 10 is itself unimportant except that it will be shaped to conform to the particular vehicle in which the hood latch structure is mounted. The plate is designed to be fastened to the top side of the cross bar structure between the front fenders, in rear of the grille. The plate 10 centrally thereof, includes an enlarged opening 12 as best seen in Figure 3. To the upper surface of the plate 10 are secured mounting and actuating rods 14 and 16. The rod 14 includes straight portions 18 and 20 and the rod 16 includes straight portions 22 and 24 by means of which the rods are pivoted to the plate 10 by pivot brackets 26 and 28. Intermediate the straight portions 18 and 20, the bar 14 has an arcuately curved portion 30. Intermediate the straight portions 22 and 24, the bar 16 has an arcuately curved portion 32. At one end the bars 14 and 16 are provided with depending levers 34 which extend through an opening 36 formed in the plate 10. As best seen in Figure 6, the depending lever portions 34 of the bars are provided with openings through which extend a spring supporting pin 37 carrying compression springs 38 which at their outer ends bear against spring seats 40. The arrangement is such that the lever portions 34 are biased by the springs 38 in a direction tending to rock the arcuate portions 30 and 32 of the bars downwardly toward the plate 10.

The bar 16 at its opposite end is provided with an upstanding actuating arm 41 by means of which the bar may be rocked about an axis coincident with its straight portions 22 and 24. Adjacent the actuating arm 41, as best seen in Figures 2 and 7, the straight portion 24 of the rod 16 has a camming projection 42. The adjacent end of the rod 14 is provided with a cooperating cam portion 44, these parts cooperating as best seen in Figure 7.. to effect simultaneous rocking movement of the rods.

Rigidly secured to the arcuate portions 30 and 32 of the rods are latch plates 46 and 48. These latch plates, as best seen in Figures 2 through 5, are downwardly dished to provide a downwardly tapered guiding surface for a latch bolt later to be described. The confronting edges 50 and 52 of the latch plates are recessed as indicated at 54 to partially envelop the latch bolt.

The springs 38 previously described, thus exert a force tending to cause the edges 50 and 52 of the latch plates to approach but permit yielding of the latch plates.

Rigidly secured to the forward end of the hood of the vehicle is a latch bolt 60. This latch bolt is preferably fastened to a rigid cross piece of the hood and is movable upwardly and downwardly therewith. The latch bolt 61') is provided with an enlarged head 62 constituting a safety catch and above the head 62 the bolt 60 is provided with one or more additional notches 64 which cooperate with the latch plates to retain the hood in predetermined latched position.

Depending from the plate 10 are a pair of threaded members 66, each of which is shown as bolted to the plate as by the nuts 68. The threaded members 66 includes heads 70 against which the lower ends of compression springs 72 hear. The upper ends of the springs 72 engage against a pressure plate 74 and urge the same upwardly. For this purpose the pressure plate 74 is provided with openings which serve to guide the plate for vertical movement on the threaded members 66. Adjustable stop nuts 76 are provided on the threaded members and determine the upper limit of motion of the pressure plate 74. The effectiveness of the spring 72 may of course be adjusted by screwing the threaded members 66 upwardly to bring the heads 70 closer to the plate 10 and by correspondingly moving the stop nuts 76 downwardly.

Conveniently, the pressure plate 74 may extend diagonally across the opening 12 in the plate 10 and for V h rh. at este fPQI l the tiyer e mp t ent.

' teehehis ay ake ahy eehyehieht term ut is. h re n lu trated a eempr s s a i e 39. eeh et a ehe d. t9

was

' enlarged head 62 of the latch bolt is shown as having et si. th ed es 52 and. .4 apa a ma l d e hi is insufli'cient'topermit passage of the enlarged head or ati ty a ch. he et rehgh-v Upon u her downwa me eiheh 9 th lat h bel 1? the lat h late 45 and .8

will. leeh hhe to reel; apart ti t e nla ed h ad .2. pheees etw eh e ed es 5 and 54 of the tc pl t s- J. th s me he P ts w l assume t Position st a e h F ure 3 which shew he nla head 6. a e ga beneath th c i e e e t at h Pl t and 8- m theheb is eta ned agains pw rd ov but is o i a i y t i h y. l e ow Ph her hev meh tie hw dly t l t l te el 9' results in the parts assuming the position illustrated in Figure. 4}. thi fishr e P e s e re a e 74 h s een mo d d wardl hu e hpr ng the p in 2:3 .31 ap lyi e upward force to the latch bolt 60. However, at this time the latch bolt 60 has assumed a position such that the latch plates 46 and 48 have engaged on one of the several notches located above the. latching surface provided by the enlarged head or safety catch 62. 'The pressure plate 74,. will exert an upward force on the latch bolt 60 tending to retain the engaged notch 64 firmly against the edges. of the latch plates 46 and 4.8and thus will retain the hood against rattling, At'the same time, the number of notches 64 provided will be such in number and so designed as to spacing as to insure adequate-closure of he h ed W re eined. ih a he P itieht one of the practical disadvantages of the types of hood at he mos eethih l mp t day s ha hey e.- qui e h hl h e ih etie o a ele 'f QE ftl S r e s mp tmen hut-e e anua ele e of a in en h ient af t eet Aeee d s t he Prese t in n on t e htet e t l ispr ded b th l ter ll m r ed hea 6.

on e he fehs h ssete eteh is e ea abl hy mesh: 7 Ih eet e ih arm 1 hteh a eempr s b e sp n it. PI P tep 5!. eemed to he 13 e e re: 80

s by a set. sc ew hs ieete at 8. W th n. t e dri ers. eh nartmeh sui a e means. e prov ded er pull h he w re- In Fi re 7 thi mea s s show a a be ne rank le r. 83- ha hs. a i st. whieh he anet end o he. i e s secu ed and. a seeenrl. ae-

hetih arm. -2- The le r s niy e to. a mo n n bracket 94 which may conveniently be located; onjhe floqr eard er n he d sh o ns hrhe the rdhs ere hip e, he ev r. 8 ma h nes he o s he set tl y thetee Q the. d i e i e na s' t er ati sh p l hs ra dihf gh e initia m vement qt the lever 88'. ff ct shfi e eht eel ih mo ment o he e e P13i$4841l 8 o re,-

a e h a c h l h. A his. t me QmP eS$ D$iI 1. ill m ve he P ss re plate 74 p ardl hus ne ing t dtowa epeh p sitieh- Hewe er he en..- rsecl ad 62. Wh eh eeh i ut s e s f t e ten, will ngage e nner ed e iet he ch plates 6; an 8, herime h eh of. th lever-8. 5v wi l lt n u h rocki g ovement of the l ch plates 4. n l48tQ -hesition in which they will permit. upward v passage of; the

enlarged headv 62.

It is important to note that the pressure plate.7f-4 is provided with a depression 96 centrally thereofainrpositionto be engaged by the rounded underside of'thehead' 62 of the latch bolt 60. Further, as best seen in Figure 3,

the pressure plate 74 is spaced from the stops )6 when the upper surface of the head 62 engages the inner edges of the latch plates. Accordingly, the pressure plate 74 serves as a guide for insuring that the lower end of the latch bolt moves upwardly centrally between the edges 50 and 52 of the latch plates, and particularly in centralized relation between the recesses 54 provided in these edges. r

If desired, the lever 88 or other actuating device may be operated in such a manner as to efliect full release of the latch plates in a quick motion. In this case the latch plates are moved immediately from a latched position to a fully open position which will permit passage of the safety catch or enlarged head 62 therethrough. When the "f operation is performed in this manner the compression springs 72 will cause the pressure plate 74 to move upwardly relatively quickly and thus to. project the latch bolt and the forward end of the hood upwardly a short distance to facilitate further manual opening.

It is on emp at d th t the ype f. p in mpl ye a172 will be selected in accordance with the unbalanced weight of the hDOd, and will be sufliciently strong to retain the hood against rattling. As previously stated, minor a ju tment n the e eet ene'ss of th p ing may be efiected by adjustment of the threaded members 66 and the stop nuts 76. The latch plates 46 and 48 are dished as previously described so asto provide downwardly converging guid ing surfaces which will, guide the head 62 of the latch bolt into proper relation with the recessed. portions 54, of the plates. It will be noted that thelatch plates 46 and 48. are u t d fo swinging mo e e t. ahhut spac d parall l a e ee ted abo n sli h y outwar ly romv t e h e hestpo i e o he r ce ed edge pe tiehs 0 an 5.2.- eeerdih ln. asp sure. is anp ied y t e. ho tfill these Plates. these edge pe t e s mo e in a dire tion which. i forthe most part outwardly but includes a small downward;

ct penen of motion. Accordingly, the upwardplessure eplie to he at h elt 9. y the GOmPIQSSiQKSPIiIIgS 72 through hev pr ssure plate 14. serves to re ain. the pres.

7 sure plate firmly in latched position! The drawings and the. fQregoing specification constitute a description of the improved hood latch structure in such Eull, clear, concise and exact terms, as. to enable any person skilled in the artrto. practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What. I claim as my invention is:

1. Hood latch structure comprising a mounting plate having an opening therethrough, for mounting. onthe front end of an automobile, a pair of concavely dished latch plates having opposed lower notched edges extend ing below. saidopening, hinge means for said-latch plates located above said mounting plate, said hinge, means havingaxes extending generally parallel to said edges and cormprisiug bars having curved portions secured to the upper edges. of said plates, transversely extending lever arms on said bars, spring means connected to said lever arms andurging said latchplates toward latched position,

a release lever extending transversely from one'of' said tions adjacent, a latch bolt movable downwardly between said plates having latching surfaces engageable-withsaidedges preventing withdrawal of said bolt, release means comprising a lever. secured to one of: said :plates, cumming:

means interconnecting said plates to provide simultaneous swinging thereof, and resilient means below said latch plates engageable with the lower end of said bolt and urging it upwardly, said resilient means comprising a transverse pressure plate and springs urging said pressure plate upwardly, said pressure plate having an upwardly facing recess to receive the end of said bolt and to guide said bolt upwardly when released by said plates.

3. In a hood latch structure, a pair of latch plates having confronting edges, hinge means for said plates providing for movement of said edges toward and away from each other, resilient means urging said plates toward latched position, a latch bolt movable downwardly be tween said plates, a pressure plate below said latch plates in position to be engaged by the lower end of said latch bolt, and resilient means urging said pressure plate upwardly to retain said bolt firmly in latched position to prevent rattling of the hood, said pressure plate being formed with an upwardly facing recess to receive the lower end of said latch bolt and to guide said bolt upwardly when released by said plates.

4. Hood latch structure comprising a pair of concavely dished latch plates having opposed lower notched edges, hinge means for said latch plates located above said edges, said hinge means having axes extending generally parallel to said edges and comprising bars having curved portions secured to the upper edges of said plates, transversely extending lever arms on said bars, spring means connected to said lever arms and urging said latch plates toward latched position, said latch plates being adapted to receive therebetween the lower end of a latch bolt movable vertically downwardly into latched engagement between said latch plates, and having latch surfaces on the bolt adapted to be engaged by the edges of said latch plates.

5. A hood latch adapted to cooperate with a latch bolt comprising a pair of latch plates concavely dished in the direction of movement of the latch bolt into engagement therewith, said plates having normally confronting edges provided with registering notches to receive the latch bolt, the concave dished construction of the latch plates being adapted to cause the latch plates to serve as guide means eifective to center the latch bolt with respect to the notched edges of the latch plates, hinge means for said latch plates, the axis of said hinge means extending perpendicular to the direction of motion of the latch bolt and being disposed laterally from the edges of the dished plates so that forces applied vertically upwardly on the confronting edges of the latch plates tend to force the latch plates to swing toward each other, resilient means biasing said latch plates in a direction to cause their confronting edges to approach each other, means interconnecting said latch plates effective to provide equal swinging movement thereof, and operating means for swinging said latch plates in a direction to cause separation of said confronting edges.

6. A hood latch bolt adapted to be secured to the hood of an automotive vehicle to extend downwardly therefrom and to cooperate with latch means comprising a pair of bolt engaging latch members movable toward and away from each other, said bolt having a plurality of oppositely disposed pairs of latch engaging surfaces provided along said bolt above the lower end thereof, said bolt having at its lower end a laterally enlarged head adapted to move into position below the latch members to require substantially greater separation between the latch members to release said head than to disengage the latch members from a pair of latch engaging surfaces.

7. A hood latch comprising a mounting plate having an opening therethrough, pivot mounting means comprising hinge pins having aligned end portions and laterally curved intermediate portions disposed adjacent opposite edges of the opening at one side of said plate, dished latch plates having upper edge portions engaged with the laterally curved intermediate portions of said pins, said latch plates extending downwardly through the opening in said mounting plate and converging toward each other, the lower edges of said latch plates constituting latching edges engageable with a headed pin movable downwardly through the opening, an actuating arm on one of said pins, cam means connecting said pins for simultaneous swinging, said pins having bias arms at corresponding ends thereof movable away from each other upon separation of the lower edges of said latch plates, said bias arms having aligned openings, a guide pin in said openings, and compression springs on the end portions of said guide pins opposing separation of said bias arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 45,747 Perry Jan. 3, 1865 641,312 Maier Jan. 16, 1900 689,074 Ferris Dec. 17, 1901 1,263,504 Workman Apr. 23, 1918 1,521,937 Frascolla Jan. 6, 1925 1,535,625 OBannon Apr. 28, 1925 1,703,077 Wethling Feb. 19, 1929 1,804,387 Dorsey et al May 12, 1931 1,870,360 Ellison Aug. 9, 1932 2,096,980 Schjolin Oct. 26, 1937 2,207,441 Rhodes July 9, 1940 2,333,465 Gland-Mantle Nov. 2, 1943 2,420,060 Adams May 6, 1947 2,486,003 Christensen Oct. 25, 1949 2,492,683 Claud-Mantle Dec. 27, 1949 2,502,607 Vinton Apr. 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,178 Great Britain Sept. 6, 1913 264,342 Great Britain Jan. 20, 1927 618,488 France Mar. 10, 1927 

